Presqu'ile Provincial Park is again living up to its reputation as a
birding hot spot in mid-May, especially for the variety of warblers and
other colourful migrants that pass through. One particularly rare bird
was spotted but left the observer frustrated.
The BRANT migration continues with a flock swimming off Sebastopol
Island as recently as this morning. Most of the other waterfowl have
moved on. A late RED-THROATED LOON was found on May 15. Both AMERICAN
and LEAST BITTERN have been noted in the marsh. GREEN HERONS have
appeared twice at the lighthouse. A rare GLOSSY IBIS was seen twice on
May 13, both times in flight under conditions that prevented a
definitive identification as to which of the two similar species was
involved. There were at least two sightings each of MERLIN and
PEREGRINE FALCON in the past week. Birders are anxiously awaiting the
main shorebird migration, which is likely imminent. The only new
species were 23 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS at Owen Point and an early
WHIMBREL that flew past the lighthouse, both on May 14. A FORSTER'S TERN
was reported on May 14 and two BLACK TERNS flew over on that day.
A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO on May 13 and a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO on the next
day were the first of those species seen this year. A BARRED OWL and
WHIP-POOR-WILLS were heard by a birder camping overnight. A RED-HEADED
WOODPECKER was near the lighthouse on May 17 and 18. RED-BELLIED
WOODPECKERS are seen on most days. The fact that a YELLOW-BELLIED
FLYCATCHER was seen and heard today suggests that OLIVE-SIDED
FLYCATCHERS will soon appear. The five species of vireos seen this week
included two YELLOW-THROATED and several PHILADELPHIA VIREOS. BLUE-GRAY
GNATCATCHERS are being seen every day. Single NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS
were seen on May 13 at the day use area and on May 15 and 16 at the
lighthouse, probably the same bird. There has been no problem finding
lots of warblers this week, and the cool, wet, and windy weather has
kept many of them at eye level or lower. There were both BLUE-WINGED
and GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLERS as well as the hybrid "BREWSTER'S WARBLER".
A few ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were seen, as well as an early MOURNING
WARBLER on May 14. A HOODED WARBLER was reported on May 13. As many as
seven SCARLET TANAGERS were seen at one time. A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
was heard on May 13. LINCOLN'S SPARROWS have been more plentiful than
usual. A late DARK-EYED JUNCO and a late RUSTY BLACKBIRD were at the
High Bluff campground on May 17. ORCHARD ORIOLES are here in good
numbers. PURPLE FINCHES and PINE SISKINS were still present earlier
this week.
To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton.
Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid
that is available at the Park gate. Access to the offshore islands is
restricted at this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial
nesting birds there. Birders are encouraged to record their
observations on the bird sightings board provided near the campground
office by The Friends of Presqu'ile Park and to fill out a rare bird
report for species not listed there.
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: [email protected].
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
